8 Day Qoyllority to Ausangate

Overview

The peaks of Ausangate and Qoyllorrity are considered by localst to be sacred. This is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for the descendants of the Quechua people. During this hike we will see the most beautiful, natural landscapes of the mountains in the highlands. We also have the opportunity to see diverse communities observing their customs and traditions.

This hike has an average of 7.5 hours of hiking per day. It demands a good physical condition because you will be hiking at high altitudes. It is intended for people who have had several days to acclimatize. It is appropriate for couples or groups who want to have a more personal and spiritual journey, to enjoy the beautiful scenery surrounding CCoyllorrity and Apu Ausangate, and to acquire a deeper knowledge of the customs and traditions of the Andean people.

Get ready for an amazing adventure and a life changing experience near one of the most spiritually significant mountains in the mountain culture and one of the most renowned treks in all of Peru. Ausangate boasts of being the fifth tallest mountain in Peru reaching 6,384 meters (20,945 feet) and is part of the Urubamba Mountain Range.

Itinerary

Day 1 Cusco - Chuachua

We leave Cuzco early in the morning and drive to the Chua Chua village. On the way we will pass a number of traditional communities and pre-Incan archaeological sites. We will make stops to learn the history of the traditional communities and the significance of the archaeological sites.

(Camp at Chua Chua. Estimated hiking – 4 to 5 hours)

Day 2 Chua Chua - Hatun Qero

We leave our camp to make our way to the outstanding village of Hatun Quero. This day is going to be mostly uphill.

(4,000m / 13,123 ft. Camp at Hatun Quero. Estimated hiking – 5 to 6 hours)

Day 3 Hatun Quero – Cochamoco

We will hike from our camp to Cocha Moco. On Sundays in Cocha Moco there is a market where the local people gather to buy and sell their products and to socialize with their distant neighbors.

(Camp at Cocha Moco. 4,765m / 15,633 ft. Estimated hiking – 5 hours)

Day 4 Cocha Mocco – Carhuayo

We leave early in the morning from our campsite in Cocha Moco to Carhuayo ( 4,765m / 15,633ft), where we will spend time enjoying the awesome views. Then we will hike down for another 2 hours enjoying stunning views of the Andes and camp at Carhuayo.

(4,300m / 14,107ft. Estimated hiking – 7 hours)

Day 5 Carhuayo Qoyllorrity

After two hours hiking we will get to the pass called Puka Aq’o (4,916m). Then we will gradually follow the path to the Sanctuary of Qoyllorrity, the place where the Andean people have gathered annually for generations to honor the Apu (deity) of this mountain.

(Camp at Qoyllorrity. 4,648m / 15,249 ft. Estimated hiking – 7 hours)

Day 6 Qoyllorrity Singrinacocha

After enjoying the sun rise over the ice capped mountain, Sinacara, we will walk through beautiful hillsides and valleys to the village of Mahuayani. Then we will climb about two hours to lake Singrinachocha, where we will camp on the shore of the lake.

(Camp at Singrinacocha (4,343m/14,248 feet)

Day 7 Singrinacocha Pacchanta

Today we will hike through rolling hills and rural villages near the sacred mountain, Ausangate (6,384m / 20,944ft), one of the three highest and most sacred mountains in the Cuzco area. We will cross the pass (4,777m / 15,672ft) and continue to Mamaranapaqui. Then we will hike uphill to get to the campsite near Pacchanta. This is our last night with the staff and we will celebrate our successful journey with them.

(Estimated hiking – 8 hours)

Day 8 Pacchanta Cusco

This morning we can enjoy the hot springs before breakfast. Then we will hike to our wranglers’ village, Upis Bajo. We will have lunch before returning to Cuzco.

Inclusions

What's included

Pre-trek briefing.
Collection from your hotel on the morning of trek departure.
Transport from Cuzco to the trailhead at the beginning of the trek in private vehicle.
English/Quechua/Spanish speaking professional guide (you will have an assistant guide for groups over 6 people).
Tents – 2 people in a 4 person tent which allows for greater comfort, and also storage of backpacks.
Basic foam mattress. If you require greater comfort during the trek we can rent you an inflatable mattress (e.g. Thermarest)
Cook and Cooking equipment (Assistants are provided for larger groups)
Toilet tent.
Meals as indicated in the itinerary (optional vegetarian food). Our professional cooks prepare meals that incorporate elements of the Western diet and also traditional diet.
Peruvian delicacies. (Please communicate with your guide/cook during the trek if you have a preference for certain types of dishes). Salads, if served, are washed in boiled water.
Horses (for equipment and personal items) including horsemen. They carry camping equipment, food and kitchen utensils. We provide duffel bags at your briefing for your personal items (up to 7 kg/15 lbs. per person).
1 emergency horse which can be ridden if you are feeling ill or if are a little slower.
Dining tent with camp tables and chairs and kitchen tent for the cook to prepare meals.
Tents for our staff to sleep.
First aid kit including emergency oxygen bottle.

What's not included

Sleeping bags. If you haven’t got a sleeping bag or you don’t want the hassle of bringing one all the way to Peru with you, then we have sleeping bags for hire.
Gratuities for the staff.
If you want to take more substantial items or backpacks, you will need to hire an additional mule. Also if you want your personal riding hourse let us know.